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Lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance can cause bloating, flatulence and diarrhoea shortly after consuming dairy products. If the symptoms are severe or they are not clearly linked to dairy products, it is recommended to see a physician.
Lactose intolerance in brief
- Lactose intolerance is the malabsorption of milk sugar into the bloodstream caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase.
- The symptoms of lactose intolerance may vary from person to person, but the most common symptoms include bloating, flatulence and loose stools.
- The symptoms can be treated by avoiding or reducing the consumption of dairy products that contain lactose. The diagnosis can be confirmed with a blood test.
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest milk sugar
Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme lactase in the small intestine. This enzyme breaks down lactose (milk sugar), and a deficiency of the enzyme causes lactose to not be absorbed into the bloodstream from the intestine. As a result, lactose remains in the intestines, causing various gastrointestinal symptoms.
Although the symptoms of lactose intolerance are caused by food, it is not an allergy and it should not be confused with milk allergy. Lactose intolerance is most common in adults and school-aged children, and it can also be one of the symptoms of coeliac disease.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance causes various gastrointestinal symptoms. It is important to consider when these symptoms occur. In most cases, the symptoms of lactose intolerance are experienced 1–3 hours after consuming food that contains lactose.
The most common symptoms of lactose intolerance include:
- bloating
- flatulence
- loose stools and diarrhoea
- indeterminate abdominal pain
The intensity of the symptoms varies from person to person and depends on the amount of dairy products consumed. Many people with lactose intolerance can tolerate reasonable amounts of lactose, but the most sensitive can experience stomach problems even after consuming small amounts of food with lactose.
Diagnosis of lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance is most likely if the symptoms subside after avoiding dairy products for a while. In such cases, the diagnosis does not need to be verified with a laboratory test. You can treat the symptoms yourself by avoiding or reducing the consumption of lactose-containing dairy products. If you continue to experience clear symptoms despite a lactose intolerance diagnosis and avoiding dairy products, you should seek medical attention for additional examinations to rule out the possibility of, for example, coeliac disease.
You should see a physician for examinations if your stomach symptoms are severe and they are not clearly linked to any dairy products. Lactose intolerance can be easily diagnosed with a simple laboratory test by performing a gene test on a blood sample. A previously standard lactose tolerance test is not required.
If you believe you might be lactose intolerant, you can book an appointment for a test either with or without a referral. The test is a blood test performed in a Mehiläinen laboratory.
You can book a laboratory appointment online or by calling our customer service on +358 (0)10 414 00 (local network rate/mobile charge). Sample collection without an appointment is also possible during the laboratory’s opening hours. Please check the opening hours of the Mehiläinen laboratory in advance.
You can eat and drink normally prior to the sampling, and the test does not need to be performed at a certain time of the day. The laboratory test includes blood sampling at the Mehiläinen clinic of your choice, as well as the results and recommendations on further actions.
The results of the laboratory test are recorded in OmaMehiläinen. The results are usually available within a few days of sample collection.
You can easily discuss the result and further actions with your physician at OmaMehiläinen Digital Clinic. The prices of further actions will be determined in accordance with the recommendations made separately.
Take into account in the price list
No Kanta or outpatient clinic fees are added to the price of laboratory tests. The price is not affected by the time (evening or weekend), and no separate fee is charged for tests that need to be analyzed urgently.| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Alcohol marker test (B-PEth) Alcohol marker test, i.e. blood phosphatidylethanol concentration. | 93,50 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Borrelia antibodies (S-BorrAb) | 113,60 € No Kela reimbursement |
| C-reactive protein, inflammation test (P-CRP) | 49,70 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Vitamin D levels (S-D-25) | 95,30 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Prostate-specific antigen, prostate examination (S-PSAtot+V) Totaali ja vapaa. | 99,60 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Ferritin (S-Ferrit) | 65,70 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Follicle-stimulating hormone (S-FSH) | 93,60 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Respiratory virus test (InfRSVCVAg) The package covers: Influenza A and B, RSV, and coronaviruses rapid test. | 175,10 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Respiratory Virus PCR Test (InfRSVCVNho) The package covers: Influenza A and B, RSV, and coronaviruses PCR test. | 197,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Antigen detection of respiratory viruses (RespCV19) | 270,20 € No Kela reimbursement |
| HI virus (S-HIVAbAg) | 63,40 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Influenza A and B (InfA+B Ag) | 78,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Influenza A and B + RSV (InflAB+RSV) The package covers: Influenza A and B, RSV. | 87,80 € No Kela reimbursement |
| INR-test (P-INR) Thromboplastin time. | 44,50 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Celiac disease screening test The package covers: S-IgA and S-tTGAbA. | 119,10 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Examination of thyroid activity (S-T4-V) Serum free thyroxine levels. | 84,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Examination of thyroid activity (S-TSH) Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. | 75,40 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Chlamydia and gonorrhoea test (U-CtGcNhO) | 102,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Creatinine, kidney function test (P-Krea) | 40,70 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Blood lipids, cholesterol (P-Lipidit) | 85,80 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Lactose tolerance test (B-Lakt-D) | 104,90 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Examination of the liver, glutamyl transferase activity (P-GT) | 37,10 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Examination of the liver, alanine aminotransferase activity (P-ALAT) | 37,10 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Mononucleosis, quick test (S-MonAb) | 44,30 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Mykoplasma quick test (S-MypnAbM-O) | 73,50 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Papa-test (Pt-Papa1) | 95,20 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Basic blood count (B-PVK+T) Leukocytes, erythrocytes and thrombocytes, red blood cell indices and distribution width. | 53,60 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Quantitative pregnancy test (S-HCG) Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. | 77,50 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Group A Streptococcus (Ps-StrAAg) Group A Streptococcus test from a throat swab. | 75,40 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Group A Streptococcus and adenovirus (Ps-NieluAg) Group A Streptococcus and adenovirus test from a throat swab. | 86,20 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Testosterone (S-Testo) Sensitive method. | 95,80 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Blood haemoglobin level (B-Hb) | 25,10 € No Kela reimbursement |
| White blood cell count (B-Leuk) | 29,80 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Blood sugar after fasting (fP-Gluk) Glucose | 37,10 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Chemical screening of urine (U-KemSeul) For screening infections and diseases of the urinary tract. The test includes the following: protein, glucose, white blood cells, blood and bacteria. | 43,40 € No Kela reimbursement |
Gastrointestinal problems
Abdominal pain
The causes of stomach pain and treatment options should be investigated when the pain starts to interfere with everyday life.
Acid reflux
A disease where the stomach contents rising into the oesophagus repeatedly cause heartburn or inflammation of the oesophagus.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
The most typical symptom of inflammatory bowel diseases is diarrhoea. If the diarrhoea persists, blood may be present in the stool.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
A functional gastrointestinal disorder that causes abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel movements.
Frequently asked questions about lactose intolerance
Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the body has difficulty breaking down lactose due to a deficiency of the enzyme lactase in the small intestine. This leads to the malabsorption of lactose and causes gastrointestinal symptoms.
Lactose intolerance is usually diagnosed with a laboratory test by performing a gene test on a blood sample. You can book an appointment for the test with or without a physician’s referral. Sample collection does not require fasting and can be performed at any time of the day.
The symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, flatulence, loose stools and indeterminate abdominal pain, which usually occur 1–3 hours after consuming foods that contain lactose. The intensity of the symptoms varies from person to person and depends on the amount of dairy products consumed.
Lactose intolerance is not an allergy. It is caused by the body’s inability to break down lactose (milk sugar). Milk allergy is caused by the body’s immune system, which overreacts to milk protein. The two should not be confused.
Lactose intolerance is treated by avoiding or reducing the consumption of dairy products that contain lactose. If the symptoms subside after avoiding dairy products for a while, the diagnosis does not need to be confirmed with a laboratory test.
